Dual reflector



March 6, 1934. w, THQRBURN 1,949,503

DUAL REFLECTOR Filed July 1, 1952 Patented Mar. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to dual reflectors for use ordinarily as the headlights for automobiles, but adapted for like service in a variety of situations.

The invention consists in general terms of a main reflector of any chosen size and construc tion having the usual electric light bulb therein, and including an auxiliary reflector attached to the bulb support below the bulb whereby a certain portion of the lower part of the main reflector is shaded to prevent the blinding glare from high power headlights affecting persons exposed to the light of an approaching machine due to the fact that the rays of light striking the lower part of the reflector are directed in such manner as to fall directly upon or in the eyes of those in the path of the light therefrom. In this invention the auxiliary reflector has the customary function as stated, and in addition thereto it provides a daylight signal or identifying means as hereinafter described by reason of the selection of the color given the side opposite the reflecting surface.

The construction and arrangement of the parts of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, of which Fig. 1 represents a vertical axial section of a main reflector with this invention applied thereto thus showing all parts as assembled. Fig. 2 is a forward edge View of the auxiliary reflector showing the scoop form. Fig. 3 is a bottom View, showing the colored side, and the triangular form of the auxiliary reflector.

Throughout the drawing and description the same number is used to refer to the same part.

Considering the drawing, a main reflector 1 has the usual glass front 2, and the electric light bulb 3.

The auxiliary reflector is referred to as a whole by numeral 4, and it consists of a triangular piece of sheet metal substantially of the shape illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The concave face 6 is a reflecting surface, and the convex side '7 is the colored side, the scoop 4 is attached to the bulb support by means of the strap 5 or in any convenient manner.

In use at night the auxiliary reflector subdues the blinding glare ahead as previously stated. During the day the colored bottom of the scoop 4 is more or less illuminatedby light entering the front 2, and the color of the bottom '7 is counter reflected forwardly by the bottom portion of the main reflector and is observable through the front. Persons may quickly identify their own machine among several of the same make, by the colored light emitted in front. It is not intended that the color shall be restricted to green as indicated in the drawing, nor is this invention confined to any single color. A variegated bottom '7 may be employed. The bottom may be of any desired color or combination of colors that will afford a distinctive colorful effect when observed in daylight from the front of the machine. By the words combination of colors it is intended to mean not alone different colors but different designs in colors such as stripes of one or more colors, or figures or symbols in colors. The bottom '7 may be made distinctive and individual in a variety of ways within the scope of this invention.

Having now described this invention and its uses I claim:--

In a dual reflector, the combination with a main reflector, of a light bulb therein, means for attaching the light bulb to the main reflector, an auxiliary reflector, means for attaching the auxiliary reflector to the bulb, the said auxiliary reflector constructed and placed to extend below and forwardly with respect to said bulb, the said auxiliary reflector being formed of opaque sheet metal the upper surface thereof being a light reflecting surface and the lower surface being non-reflecting and having a specific, individual and identifying character which may be observed in daylight upon the lower part of said main reflector.

WILBUR G. THORBURN. 

